Pipe cleaner



PIPE CLEANER Filed Jan. 8. 1930 2 Sheets-Skeet l Nov. 10, 1931. L. F.DENSMORE PIPE CLEANER Filed Jan. 8. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov.10, 1931 outrun y LEROY. E. DENSMORE,- on KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, Assmnon or"one-HAL To w mn H. QUINLAN, or KENOSHA, WISCONSIN PIPE CLEANERApplication filed January 8, 1930. SeriaLNo'. 419,387. a

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form ofbrush which is particularly adapted for cleaning the hot-air pipes offurnaces; to provide a pipe cleaner which is expansible and contractibleso as to be adapted for use in pipes of different diameters; to providea brush of this kind having improved means for expanding the brush; toprovide improved manually operable means for contracting the brush tofacilitate its insertion into and removal from the pipe; and to providean improved brush of this kind which is adapted for use as the nozzle ofa vacuum cleaning apparatus.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings,

wherein Figure 1 is an end elevation of the brush in its expandedposition; the hose andsleeve being shown in section and the dottedoutline representing the movable section in contracted position.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the'line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of one part of the brush, theview being taken on the line 33 of Fig.- 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, taken from the right of Fig. 1, part of thebristles being omitted.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section, taken on the line 55 of Fig.2, the dotted lines representing the movable part in contractedposition.

In the specific construction herein shown, the improved pipe cleaner towhich this invention is applied comprises a substantially circulararticulate brush mounted on one end of the suction hose 1 of a vacuumcleaning apparatus, not shown. In addition to Y being the conduitthrough which the dirt from the brush is withdrawn, the hose 1 alsoserves as the handle by which the improved brush is manipulated withinthe pipe. The articulate brush is expansible and contractible, so. as tobe adapted 'for use in connection I H with pipes ofvarious diameters.

I In the: formv shown, the. improved 7 brush comprises flexible bristles2 mounted on the outer peripheries of'a pair of arcuate back segments 3and 4, which are supported on a tubular. coup1ing.5, to whichthe conduit1v is securedbyaclampfi. r

The segments 3 and 4. are preferably metal castings of substantially.similar construc tion. To facilitate the casting of the brush backs,eachnsegment:islpreferably made in two-.separateiparts :whichgarerigidly secured together. by rivets .7 for;- otherrsuitable1fastening.means;

F ormed ontheinner. ends of thesegments 3. and 4, arehubsSwhich embracethe tubu, lar couphngr5... Therhub. of the segment. 3"

is rigidly securedto the coupling 5 bya screwvv 9. flor. other. suitablefastening means and. the hub: of the segment 4- is rotatable on thecouplingto .permitexpansionand contractionoffthebrush I. w

The vsegment4 is. secured against outward: axiaLmovementby a. cap 10.which is rigidly secured to the outer endofthe coupling 5.

Formed-in the innersurfaceof the cap 10 is a recess 11., inrwhichisseated a helical spring 12 .havingits two ends 'connected respectivelytoth esegment4 and-caplO so as tonormally urge the. segment4 to .thepositionshown in fulloutliueinFig. 1iforeXpanding-thebrush.

. The-*brushis adapted to' be manually. con.

tractedl against the action: of the springLZ. by means of azflexiblecable .13. The cable l3,

slidably engages a-pulley 14secured to the segment. 3.and.itsenduissecuredto a lug 15 mountedonthesegment4. Inorder toadapttheimproved brush for use as a. vacuum cleaner nozzle,-.the outerperipheries of thesegments 3and4 are re cessed. to. provide air-passages1.6, which (m:

municatewith openings 17formed in the hubs. 8. The opening 17ofthesegment 3-registers' with aport18 in the coupling. 5 and the opening 17 of the segment at is adapted to register with a pair of ports 19in the coupling so as to permit the passage 16 of the segment 1 tocommunicate with the hose 1 in the expanded and contracted positions ofthe brush.

In operation, the hose 1 and cable 13 are held by the operator and, bypulling the cable 13, the brush is contracted suiiiciently to permitinsertion in the pipe which is to be cleaned. After the brush has beeninserted, the cable 13 is released soas to permit the brush to conformto thepipe; 'By'reason of the flexibilitv of the bristles. the brushwill readily conform to the pipe when the segments 3 and 1 are urgedoutwardlv under-the action of the spring 12. Ihe dirt which is removedfrom the pipe bv the bristles of the brush'is drawn throu h the passages16 to the hose 1.

Although but o e specific embodiment of this invent on has been hereinshown and described. it will be understood that numero s details of theconstruction shown mav be altered or om ted without de artin fr m espirit ot this invention as defined by the fo lowing claims.

1. A pipe clea er compr sing an elongated handle. a air of a cuate b ushse me ts arrange to orm a suhstantiallv ci cular brush. one of saidsegments being fixed on said handle. the ot er of said segm n s heing higed on said hand e. the axis of the hinge and the axis of said hrnshextending lo gitudinallv of said handle. means for normallv sw ngingsaid hinged segment outwardl o expand the brush, and manua lv o erab emeans extending lon tudinally of said handle for swinginersaid hingedsegment in: wardlv to contract the brush. v

2. A pipe cleaner com rising a suction conduit. and a pluralitv ofarcuate brush segments arra ged'to form a substantially circular brushhaving .air passages commun cating with said conduit. saidbrush segmentsbeing relatively movable. to permit expansion and contraction of thebrush. 7

3. A pipe clean er comprising a. suction conduit, a pair of arcuatebrush segments mounted on said condu t and forming a brush having airpassages communicating with said conduit, said brush segments beingmovablv connected together to permit expansion and contraction of thebruslnmeans normally expanding said brush,iand manually operable meansfor contracting said brush. n

' 4:. A pipe cleaner compris ng a tubular coupling, and a pair of brushsegments movably connected together to form an articulate circular brushhavingair passages communicating with ports formed in said coupling, oneof said segments being fixed on said coupling, the other of saidsegments be ng rotatable on said coupling to permit expansion andcontraction of the brush. g g

' 5; A pipe cleaner comprising an elongated ary,1930 I V LEROY F.DENSMORE.

